Tom Cleverley admits earning a regular place in the England squad was one of the main reasons behind his move to Everton.

The 25-year-old recently joined the Toffees on a free transfer after seeing out his contract at Manchester United and will be hoping to carry on the form he showed during last season’s loan spell at Aston Villa.

Cleverley’s performances for the Villans earned him a recall to the international set-up for the matches against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, however, boss Roy Hodgson chose not to use him in either match.

During his younger years, the midfielder was a regular in the squad and hopes that earning a regular place in the Everton line-up will keep him in Hodgson’s thinking.

“Looking at our squad, we have some good, young internationals, and that was another reason why I joined Everton because if I can get some good form here then I have got a shout of getting back into the England squad,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“There are a lot of positives in joining this squad and getting back in the England squad is definitely one of them.

“Even though I didn’t get a cap it was good to be back in the squad and see the new faces I’d not played with before. I really felt at home there again. Hopefully I can keep my place there.”

With the Toffees currently on tour in Singapore, Cleverley will be hoping to do enough over the next few weeks to earn himself a starting role for the opening weekend’s clash against newly promoted Watford.

Everton are currently 1.70 to take all three points, with the draw 3.75 and the visiting Hornets 5.00.